Absence of lung tumor promotion with reduced tumor size in mice after inhalation of copper welding fumes.

Welding fumes are a Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans) carcinogen as classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The process of welding creates inhalable fumes rich in iron (Fe) that may also contain known carcinogenic metals such as chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni). Epidemiological evidence has shown that both mild steel (Fe-rich) and stainless steel (Fe-rich + Cr + Ni) welding fume exposure increases lung cancer risk, and experimental animal data support these findings. Copper-nickel (CuNi) welding processes have not been investigated in the context of lung cancer. Cu is intriguing, however, given the role of Cu in carcinogenesis and cancer therapeutics. This study examines the potential for a CuNi fume to induce mechanistic key characteristics of carcinogenesis in vitro and to promote lung tumorigenesis, using a two-stage mouse bioassay, in vivo. Male A/J mice, initiated with 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA; 10 µg/g), were exposed to CuNi fumes or air by whole-body inhalation for 9 weeks (low deposition-LD and high deposition-HD) and then sacrificed at 30 weeks. In BEAS-2B cells, the CuNi fume-induced micronuclei and caused DNA damage as measured by γ-H2AX. The fume exhibited high reactivity and a dose-response in cytotoxicity and oxidative stress. In vivo, MCA/CuNi HD and LD significantly decreased lung tumor size and adenomas. MCA/CuNi HD exposure significantly decreased gross-evaluated tumor number. In summary, the CuNi fume in vitro exhibited characteristics of a carcinogen, but in vivo, the exposure resulted in smaller tumors, fewer adenomas, less hyperplasia severity, and with HD exposure, less overall lung lesions/tumors.

TERT-independent telomere elongation and shelterin dysregulation after pulmonary exposure to stainless-steel welding fume in-vivo.

Telomeres are inert DNA sequences (TTAGGG) at the end of chromosomes that protect genetic information and maintain DNA integrity. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that telomere alteration can be closely related to occupational exposure and the development of various disease conditions, including cancer. However, the functions and underlying molecular mechanisms of telomere alteration and shelterin dysregulation after welding fume exposures have not been broadly defined. In this study, we analyzed telomere length and shelterin complex proteins in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in lung tissue recovered from male Sprague-Dawley rats following exposure by intratracheal instillation (ITI) to 2 mg/rat of manual metal arc-stainless steel (MMA-SS) welding fume particulate or saline (vehicle control). PBMCs and lung tissue were harvested at 30 d after instillation. Our study identified telomere elongation and shelterin dysregulation in PBMCs and lung tissue after welding fume exposure. Mechanistically, telomere elongation was independent of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) activation. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that welding fume-induced telomere elongation was (a) TERT-independent and (b) associated with shelterin complex dysregulation. It is possible that an alteration of telomere length and its regulatory proteins may be utilized as predictive biomarkers for various disease conditions after welding fume exposure. This needs further investigation.

Lung toxicity, deposition, and clearance of thermal spray coating particles with different metal profiles after inhalation in rats.

Thermal spray coating is a process in which molten metal is sprayed onto a surface. Little is known about the health effects associated with these aerosols. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to aerosols (25 mg/m3 × 4 hr/d × 4 d) generated during thermal spray coating using different consumables [i.e. stainless-steel wire (PMET731), Ni-based wire (PMET885), Zn-based wire (PMET540)]. Control animals received air. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed at 4 and 30 d post-exposure to assess lung toxicity. The particles were chain-like agglomerates and similar in size (310-378 nm). Inhalation of PMET885 aerosol caused a significant increase in lung injury and inflammation at both time points. Inhalation of PMET540 aerosol caused a slight but significant increase in lung toxicity at 4 but not 30 d. Exposure to PMET731 aerosol had no effect on lung toxicity. Overall, the lung responses were in the order: PMET885≫PMET540 >PMT731. Following a shorter exposure (25 mg/m3 × 4 h/d × 1d), lung burdens of metals from the different aerosols were determined by ICP-AES at 0, 1, 4 and 30 d post-exposure. Zn was cleared from the lungs at the fastest rate with complete clearance by 4 d post-exposure. Ni, Cr, and Mn had similar rates of clearance as nearly half of the deposited metal was cleared by 4 d. A small but significant percentage of each of these metals persisted in the lungs at 30 d. The pulmonary clearance of Fe was difficult to assess because of inherently high levels of Fe in control lungs.

In vivo and in vitro toxicity of a stainless-steel aerosol generated during thermal spray coating.

Thermal spray coating is an industrial process in which molten metal is sprayed at high velocity onto a surface as a protective coating. An automated electric arc wire thermal spray coating aerosol generator and inhalation exposure system was developed to simulate an occupational exposure and, using this system, male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to stainless steel PMET720 aerosols at 25 mg/m3 × 4 h/day × 9 day. Lung injury, inflammation, and cytokine alteration were determined. Resolution was assessed by evaluating these parameters at 1, 7, 14 and 28 d after exposure. The aerosols generated were also collected and characterized. Macrophages were exposed in vitro over a wide dose range (0-200 µg/ml) to determine cytotoxicity and to screen for known mechanisms of toxicity. Welding fumes were used as comparative particulate controls. In vivo lung damage, inflammation and alteration in cytokines were observed 1 day post exposure and this response resolved by day 7. Alveolar macrophages retained the particulates even after 28 day post-exposure. In line with the pulmonary toxicity findings, in vitro cytotoxicity and membrane damage in macrophages were observed only at the higher doses. Electron paramagnetic resonance showed in an acellular environment the particulate generated free radicals and a dose-dependent increase in intracellular oxidative stress and NF-kB/AP-1 activity was observed. PMET720 particles were internalized via clathrin and caveolar mediated endocytosis as well as actin-dependent pinocytosis/phagocytosis. The results suggest that compared to stainless steel welding fumes, the PMET 720 aerosols were not as overtly toxic, and the animals recovered from the acute pulmonary injury by 7 days.

Epidemiologic Investigation of Two Welder's Anthrax Cases Caused by Bacillus Cereus Group Bacteria: Occupational Link Established by Environmental Detection.

Abstract Bacillus cereus group bacteria containing the anthrax toxin genes can cause fatal anthrax pneumonia in welders. Two welder's anthrax cases identified in 2020 were investigated to determine the source of each patient's exposure. Environmental sampling was performed at locations where each patient had recent exposure to soil and dust. Samples were tested for the anthrax toxin genes by real-time PCR, and culture was performed on positive samples to identify whether any environmental isolates matched the patient's clinical isolate. A total of 185 environmental samples were collected in investigation A for patient A and 108 samples in investigation B for patient B. All samples from investigation B were real-time PCR-negative, but 14 (8%) samples from investigation A were positive, including 10 from patient A's worksite and 4 from his work-related clothing and gear. An isolate genetically matching the one recovered from patient A was successfully cultured from a worksite soil sample. All welder's anthrax cases should be investigated to determine the source of exposure, which may be linked to their worksite. Welding and metalworking employers should consider conducting a workplace hazard assessment and implementing controls to reduce the risk of occupationally associated illnesses including welder's anthrax.

Welder's Anthrax: A Review of an Occupational Disease.

Since 1997, nine cases of severe pneumonia, caused by species within the B. cereus group and with a presentation similar to that of inhalation anthrax, were reported in seemingly immunocompetent metalworkers, with most being welders. In seven of the cases, isolates were found to harbor a plasmid similar to the B. anthracis pXO1 that encodes anthrax toxins. In this paper, we review the literature on the B. cereus group spp. pneumonia among welders and other metalworkers, which we term welder's anthrax. We describe the epidemiology, including more information on two cases of welder's anthrax in 2020. We also describe the health risks associated with welding, potential mechanisms of infection and pathological damage, prevention measures according to the hierarchy of controls, and clinical and public health considerations. Considering occupational risk factors and controlling exposure to welding fumes and gases among workers, according to the hierarchy of controls, should help prevent disease transmission in the workplace.

Development of a thermal spray coating aerosol generator and inhalation exposure system.

Thermal spray coating involves spraying a product (oftentimes metal) that is melted by extremely high temperatures and then applied under pressure onto a surface. Large amounts of a complex metal aerosol (e.g., Fe, Cr, Ni, Zn) are formed during the process, presenting a potentially serious risk to the operator. Information about the health effects associated with exposure to these aerosols is lacking. Even less is known about the chemical and physical properties of these aerosols. The goal was to develop and test an automated thermal spray coating aerosol generator and inhalation exposure system that would simulate workplace exposures. An electric arc wire-thermal spray coating aerosol generator and exposure system was designed and separated into two areas: (1) an enclosed room where the spray coating occurs; (2) an exposure chamber with different measurement devices and controllers. The physicochemical properties of aerosols generated during electric arc wire-thermal spray coating using five different consumable wires were examined. The metal composition of each was determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), including two stainless-steel wires [PMET720 (82 % Fe, 13 % Cr); PMET731(66 % Fe, 26 % Cr)], two Ni-based wires [PMET876 (55 % Ni, 17 % Cr); PMET885 (97 % Ni)], and one Zn-based wire [PMET540 (99 % Zn)]. The particles generated regardless of composition were poorly soluble, complex metal oxides and mostly arranged as chain-like agglomerates and similar in size distribution as determined by micro-orifice uniform deposit impactor (MOUDI) and electrical low-pressure impactor (ELPI). To allow for continuous, sequential spray coating during a 4-hr exposure period, a motor rotated the metal pipe to be coated in a circular and up-and-down direction. In a pilot animal study, male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to aerosols (25 mg/m3 × 4 h/d × 9 d) generated from electric arc wire- thermal spray coating using the stainless-steel PMET720 consumable wire. The targeted exposure chamber concentration was achieved and maintained during a 4-hr period. At 1 d after exposure, lung injury and inflammation were significantly elevated in the group exposed to the thermal spray coating aerosol compared to the air control group. The system was designed and constructed for future animal exposure studies to generate continuous metal spray coating aerosols at a targeted concentration for extended periods of time without interruption.

Telomeres in toxicology: Occupational health.

The ends of chromosomes shorten at each round of cell division, and this process is thought to be affected by occupational exposures. Occupational hazards may alter telomere length homeostasis resulting in DNA damage, chromosome aberration, mutations, epigenetic alterations and inflammation. Therefore, for the protection of genetic material, nature has provided a unique nucleoprotein structure known as a telomere. Telomeres provide protection by averting an inappropriate activation of the DNA damage response (DDR) at chromosomal ends and preventing recognition of single and double strand DNA (ssDNA and dsDNA) breaks or chromosomal end-to-end fusion. Telomeres and their interacting six shelterin complex proteins in coordination act as inhibitors of DNA damage machinery by blocking DDR activation at chromosomes, thereby preventing the occurrence of genome instability, perturbed cell cycle, cellular senescence and apoptosis. However, inappropriate DNA repair may result in the inadequate distribution of genetic material during cell division, resulting in the eventual development of tumorigenesis and other pathologies. This article reviews the current literature on the association of changes in telomere length and its interacting proteins with different occupational exposures and the potential application of telomere length or changes in the regulatory proteins as potential biomarkers for exposure and health response, including recent findings and future perspectives.

Review of the physicochemical properties and associated health effects of aerosols generated during thermal spray coating processes.

Thermal spray coating is a process that applies a molten metal product under pressure onto a surface. Although thermal spray processes have been used for decades, exposure to aerosols formed during thermal spray coating is an emerging risk. Reports indicate that high concentrations of aerosols composed of toxic metals (e.g. chromium) are generated in the workplace. A knowledge gap exists related to the physicochemical properties of thermal spray coating aerosols as well as any potential associated health effects. The objective of this manuscript was to review thermal spray coating and previous studies that have examined the aerosols produced from this process. A thermal spray coating generator and exposure system is also described that has recently been developed to further evaluate the physical and chemical properties of aerosols formed during thermal spray coating as well as to assess the possible health effects of this process in an effort to mitigate potential occupational health hazards related to the industry.

Welding fume inhalation exposure and high-fat diet change lipid homeostasis in rat liver.

It is estimated that greater than 1 million workers are exposed to welding fume (WF) by inhalation daily. The potentially toxic metals found in WF are known to cause multiple adverse pulmonary and systemic effects, including cardiovascular disease, and these metals have also been shown to translocate to the liver. This occupational exposure combined with a high fat (HF) Western diet, which has been shown to cause hyperlipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), has the potential to cause significant mixed exposure metabolic changes in the liver. The goal of this study was to use matrix assisted laser desorption ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS) to analyze the spatial distribution and abundance changes of lipid species in Sprague Dawley rat liver maintained on a HF diet combined with WF inhalation. The results of the MALDI-IMS analysis revealed unique hepatic lipid profiles for each treatment group. The HF diet group had significantly increased abundance of triglycerides and phosphatidylinositol lipids, as well as decreased lysophosphatidic lipids and cardiolipin. Ceramide-1-phosphate was found at higher abundance in the regular (REG) diet WF-exposed group which has been shown to regulate the eicosanoid pathway involved in pro-inflammatory response. The results of this study showed that the combined effects of WF inhalation and a HF diet significantly altered the hepatic lipidome. Additionally, pulmonary exposure to WF alone increased lipid markers of inflammation.

Tumorigenic response in lung tumor susceptible A/J mice after sub-chronic exposure to calcium chromate or iron (III) oxide.

Iron oxides are Group 3 (not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans) according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Occupational exposures during iron and steel founding and hematite underground mining as well as other iron predominant exposures such as welding are Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans). The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of iron as iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3) to initiate lung tumors in A/J mice, a lung tumor susceptible strain. Male A/J mice were exposed by oropharyngeal aspiration to suspensions of Fe2O3 (1 mg) or calcium chromate (CaCrO4; 100 µg; positive control) for 26 weeks (once per week). Shams were exposed to 50 µL phosphate buffered saline (PBS; vehicle). Mice were euthanized 70 weeks after the first exposure and lung nodules were enumerated. Both CaCrO4 and Fe2O3 significantly increased gross-observed lung tumor multiplicity in A/J mice (9.63 ± 0.55 and 3.35 ± 0.30, respectively) compared to sham (2.31 ± 0.19). Histopathological analysis showed that bronchiolo-alveolar adenomas (BAA) and carcinomas (BAC) were the primary lung tumor types in all groups and were increased in the exposed groups compared to sham. BAC were significantly increased (146 %) in the CaCrO4 group and neared significance in the Fe2O3 group (100 % increase; p = 0.085). BAA and other histopathological indices of toxicity followed the same pattern with exposed groups increased compared to sham control. In conclusion, evidence from this study, in combination with our previous studies, demonstrate that exposure to iron alone may be a potential risk factor for lung carcinogenesis.

Using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to assess the effect of age, high-fat diet, and rat strain on the liver metabolome.

The goal of this study was to use liquid chromatography mass spectrometry to assess metabolic changes of two different diets in three distinct rat strains. Sprague-Dawley, Fischer 344, and Brown-Norway male rats were maintained on a high-fat, or regular diet for 24 weeks. Liver tissue was collected at 4, 12, and 24 weeks to assess global small molecule metabolite changes using high resolution accurate mass spectrometry coupled to ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography. The results of the global metabolomics analysis revealed significant changes based on both age and diet within all three strains. Principal component analysis revealed that the influence of diet caused a greater variation in significantly changing metabolites than that of age for the Brown Norway and Fisher 344 strains, whereas diet had the greatest influence in the Sprague Dawley strain only at the 4-week time point. As expected, metabolites involved in lipid metabolism were changed in the animals maintained on a high fat diet compared to the regular diet. There were also significant changes observed in the concentration of Tri carboxylic acid cycle intermediates that were extracted from the liver of all three strains based on diet. The results of this study showed that a high fat diet caused significant liver and metabolic changes compared to a regular diet in multiple rat strains. The inbred Fisher 344 and Brown Norway rats were more metabolically sensitive to the diet changes than outbred Sprague Dawley strain. The study also showed that age, as was the case for Sprague Dawley, is an important variable to consider when assessing metabolic changes.

Bioactivity of Circulatory Factors After Pulmonary Exposure to Mild or Stainless Steel Welding Fumes.

Studies suggest that alterations in circulating factors are a driver of pulmonary-induced cardiovascular dysfunction. To evaluate, if circulating factors effect endothelial function after a pulmonary exposure to welding fumes, an exposure known to induce cardiovascular dysfunction, serum collected from Sprague Dawley rats 24 h after an intratracheal instillation exposure to 2 mg/rat of 2 compositionally distinct metal-rich welding fume particulates (manual metal arc welding using stainless steel electrodes [MMA-SS] or gas metal arc welding using mild steel electrodes [GMA-MS]) or saline was used to test molecular and functional effects of in vitro cultures of primary cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (PCMEs) or ex vivo organ cultures. The welding fumes elicited significant pulmonary injury and inflammation with only minor changes in measured serum antioxidant and cytokine levels. PCME cells were challenged for 4 h with serum collected from exposed rats, and 84 genes related to endothelial function were analyzed. Changes in relative mRNA patterns indicated that serum from rats exposed to MMA-SS, and not GMA-MS or PBS, could influence several functional aspects related to endothelial cells, including cell migration, angiogenesis, inflammation, and vascular function. The predictions were confirmed using a functional in vitro assay (scratch assay) as well as an ex vivo multicellular environment (aortic ring angiogenesis assay), validating the concept that endothelial cells can be used as an effective screening tool of exposed workers for determining bioactivity of altered circulatory factors. Overall, the results indicate that pulmonary MMA-SS fume exposure can cause altered endothelial function systemically via altered circulating factors.

Inhalation of welding fumes reduced sperm counts and high fat diet reduced testosterone levels; differential effects in Sprague Dawley and Brown Norway rats.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that inhalation of welding fumes may induce pulmonary and systemic inflammation and organ accumulation of metal, to which spermatogenesis and endocrine function may be sensitive. Also obesity may induce low-grade systemic inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the effects on sperm production of inhaled metal nanoparticles from stainless steel welding, and the potential exacerbation by intake of a high fat diet. Both the inbred Brown Norway and the outbred Sprague Dawley rat strains were included to study the influence of strain on the detection of toxicity. Rats were fed regular or high fat (HF) diet for 24 weeks and were exposed to 20 mg/m3 of gas metal arc-stainless steel (GMA-SS) welding fumes or filtered air for 3 h/day, 4 days/week for 5 weeks, during weeks 7-12. Outcomes were assessed upon termination of exposure (week 12) and after recovery (week 24). RESULTS: At week 12, the GMA-SS exposure induced pulmonary inflammation in both strains, without consistent changes in markers of systemic inflammation (CRP, MCP-1, IL-6 and TNFα). GMA-SS exposure lowered daily sperm production compared to air controls in Sprague Dawley rats, but only in GMA-SS Brown Norway rats also fed the HF diet. Overall, HF diet rats had lower serum testosterone levels compared to rats on regular diet. Metal content in the testes was assessed in a limited number of samples in Brown Norway rats, but no increase was obsedrved. At week 24, bronchoalveolar lavage cell counts had returned to background levels for GMA-SS exposed Sprague Dawley rats but remained elevated in Brown Norway rats. GMA-SS did not affect daily sperm production statistically significantly at this time point, but testicular weights were lowered in GMA-SS Sprague Dawley rats. Serum testosterone remained lowered in Sprague Dawley rats fed the HF diet. CONCLUSION: Exposure to GMA-SS welding fumes lowered sperm production in two strains of rats, whereas high fat diet lowered serum testosterone. The effect on sperm counts was likely not mediated by inflammation or lowered testosterone levels. The studied reproductive outcomes seemed more prone to disruption in the Sprague Dawley compared to the Brown Norway strain.

A possible relationship between telomere length and markers of neurodegeneration in rat brain after welding fume inhalation exposure.

Inhalation of welding fume (WF) can result in the deposition of toxic metals, such as manganese (Mn), in the brain and may cause neurological changes in exposed workers. Alterations in telomere length are indicative of cellular aging and, possibly, neurodegeneration. Here, we investigated the effect of WF inhalation on telomere length and markers of neurodegeneration in whole brain tissue in rats. Male Fischer-344 (F-344) rats were exposed by inhalation to stainless steel WF (20 mg/m3 x 3 h/d x 4 d/wk x 5 wk) or filtered air (control). Telomere length, DNA-methylation, gene expression of Trf1, Trf2, ATM, and APP, protein expression of p-Tau, α-synuclein, and presenilin 1 and 2 were assessed in whole brain tissue at 12 wk after WF exposure ended. Results suggest that WF inhalation increased telomere length without affecting telomerase in whole brain. Moreover, we observed that components of the shelterin complex, Trf1 and Trf2, play an important role in telomere end protection, and their regulation may be responsible for the increase in telomere length. In addition, expression of different neurodegeneration markers, such as p-Tau, presenilin 1-2 and α-synuclein proteins, were increased in brain tissue from the WF-exposed rats as compared to control. These findings suggest a possible correlation between epigenetic modifications, telomere length alteration, and neurodegeneration because of the presence of factors in serum after WF exposure that may cause extra-pulmonary effects as well as the translocation of potentially neurotoxic metals associated with WF to the central nervous system (CNS). Further studies are needed to investigate the brain region specificity and temporal response of these effects.

Effect of a High-Fat Diet and Occupational Exposure in Different Rat Strains on Lung and Systemic Responses: Examination of the Exposome in an Animal Model.

The exposome is the measure of all exposures of an individual in a lifetime and how those exposures relate to health. The goal was to examine an experimental model integrating multiple aspects of the exposome by collecting biological samples during critical life stages of an exposed animal that are applicable to worker populations. Genetic contributions were assessed using strains of male rats with different genetic backgrounds (Fischer-344, Sprague Dawley, and Brown-Norway) maintained on a regular or high-fat diet for 24 weeks. At week 7 during diet maintenance, groups of rats from each strain were exposed to stainless steel welding fume (WF; 20 mg/m3 × 3 h/d × 4 days/week × 5 weeks) or air until week 12, at which time some animals were euthanized. A separate set of rats from each strain were allowed to recover from WF exposure until the end of the 24-week period. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum were collected at 7, 12, and 24 weeks to assess general health indices. Depending on animal strain, WF exposure and high-fat diet together worsened kidney toxicity as well as altered different serum enzymes and proteins. Diet had minimal interaction with WF exposure for pulmonary toxicity endpoints. Experimental factors of diet, exposure, and strain were all important, depending on the health outcome measured. Exposure had the most significant influence related to pulmonary responses. Strain was the most significant contributor regarding the other health indices examined, indicating that genetic differences possibly drive the exposome effect in each strain.

Effect of Age, High-Fat Diet, and Rat Strain on Serum Biomarkers and Telomere Length and Global DNA Methylation in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells.

The objective of the current study was to determine if age, diet, and genetic disposition (animal strain) in an animal model had early effects on specific molecular markers in circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Three strains [Sprague-Dawley (SD), Fischer 344 (F344), and Brown-Norway (BN)] of male rats were maintained on a high-fat (HF) or regular diet. Blood was collected at 4, 12, and 24 wk to assess chemistry and to recover PBMCs. Triglycerides and body weight gain increased at all time points in the HF diet group for each strain. Telomere length in PBMCs decreased in the HF diet group compared to the regular diet group up to 24 wk in all strains. Telomere length decreased in PBMCs at 24 wk compared to baseline in all strains, indicating an age-related effect. These findings highlight that diet and age cause changes in PBMCs recovered from different strains of rats. The next tier of studies will examine the contribution of an occupational exposure (e.g., welding fume inhalation) in combination with diet, age, and strain, to assess changes in the molecular responses of isolated PBMCs. In addition, studies involving lifestyle exposure (e.g., tobacco smoke) are in the planning stages and will assess the long-term effects of exposure in our animal model.

Initiation of Pulmonary Fibrosis after Silica Inhalation in Rats is linked with Dysfunctional Shelterin Complex and DNA Damage Response.

Occupational exposure to silica has been observed to cause pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer through complex mechanisms. Telomeres, the nucleoprotein structures with repetitive (TTAGGG) sequences at the end of chromosomes, are a molecular "clock of life", and alterations are associated with chronic disease. The shelterin complex (POT1, TRF1, TRF2, Tin2, Rap1, and POT1 and TPP1) plays an important role in maintaining telomere length and integrity, and any alteration in telomeres may activate DNA damage response (DDR) machinery resulting in telomere attrition. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of silica exposure on the regulation of the shelterin complex in an animal model. Male Fisher 344 rats were exposed by inhalation to Min-U-Sil 5 silica for 3, 6, or 12 wk at a concentration of 15 mg/m3 for 6 hr/d for 5 consecutive d/wk. Expression of shelterin complex genes was assessed in the lungs at 16 hr after the end of each exposure. Also, the relationship between increased DNA damage protein (γH2AX) and expression of silica-induced fibrotic marker, αSMA, was evaluated. Our findings reveal new information about the dysregulation of shelterin complex after silica inhalation in rats, and how this pathway may lead to the initiation of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis.